The 2024 Governing Body Update #2, published on 15 March 2024, announced new doctrinal changes in the way serious wrongdoing (i.e. “sins”), especially those committed by children, will be handled by the elders.
A new management document published for elders
A new five-page document entitled Adjustments to Handling Serious Wrongdoing in the Congregation (form S-395) has been released to all elders by the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
DOWNLOAD | Adjustments to Handling Serious Wrongdoing in the Congregation
Under the subheading “What if a baptized minor (under 18 years of age) becomes involved in serious wrongdoing?” the new policy – through careful wording in paragraphs 8-11 – appears to attempt to insert and place the congregation and corporate liability for the discipline and disfellowshipping of children onto the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Paragraph 8 of the new policy states that “[t]he elders will exercise patience as they work with the parent’s to understand the minor’s attitude”.
Parents do not have the responsibility to shepherd the flock – the congregation. Parents are not provided with a copy of the elders manual “Shepherd the Flock of God”. Parents are not provided with a copy of this new policy. Without this crucial information parents may not be in a position to make an informed decision in this matter, and may not even be aware that they have become a party to the inquisition of a child.
Interestingly, no mention is made if the child is only “alleged” to have become involved in serious wrongdoing. These polices only apply once the elders have determined that the child has become involved in serious wrongdoing. Of concern in procedures is that elder’s bring the parent(s) or guardian(s) into the congregational inquisition and discipline of the child not the investigation into whether ‘serious wrongdoing’ has been committed.
To further show the disregard and utter contempt the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses have towards children, the elders are only to inform “Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s)”.
Evidently the natural right to justice, the scriptural right to justice, and the rights of a child (human rights) do not come into consideration when the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses turn their attention to publicly disciplining children who are baptised members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and whose parents are not members or are disfellowshipped.
This new policy is nothing more than the doubling-down of existing harsh and cruel policies, compounded by the insidious targeting of children through their parents to their ongoing harm and detriment. An organisation that refuses to acknowledge the existence of children within its institution cannot produce a new policy for the betterment of children, they can only make bad policies worse.
Note what paragraphs 8-11 of the new policy states:
8. When a baptized minor becomes involved in serious wrongdoing, two elders (not a committee) will meet with him along with his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The elders will exercise patience as they work with the parents to understand the minor’s attitude. They will also find out what steps the parents have taken to assist their child.
9. If the minor has a good attitude and the parents have the matter in hand, the two elders may determine that it is not necessary for the minor and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to meet with a committee. The elders will check with the parents periodically to ensure that the minor is receiving needed spiritual assistance.
10. If the minor’s wrongdoing is widely known or likely to become known, the following brief announcement may be made to the congregation: “A matter involving [name of person] has been handled by the elders.” Also, the two elders may impose some temporary restrictions, such as not commenting at meetings and not caring for student assignments on the midweek meeting. As the individual makes a spiritual recovery, the temporary restrictions should be removed by the two elders without delay.
11. If the minor persists in a wrong course despite the assistance offered by two elders and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s), a committee will meet with the minor and his Christian parent(s) or legal guardian(s). If the minor is unrepentant, he would be removed from the congregation.
Evidently, the ‘light gets brighter’. Or maybe the Watch Tower Society and the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses have colluded to set up the parents so as to blame them in the future for any emotional or psychological damage the child is subjected to, including shunning and social ostracism, by the congregation.
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